Because of You

44

Xichen had asked Wangji and Wuxian to meet with him and Lan Qiren in the Lanshi (Orchid room/lecture hall) to discuss some things. Once they gathered, Xichen placed a privacy barrier over the room.

"I received this, yesterday," Xichen said placing the indoctrination letter on the table in front of them, "last time we were ambushed before we found out about the Indoctrination at the Wen Sect. Whatever it is, I don't know if they will still attack but we are changing the timeline."

"It makes since, the Yin Iron had been destroyed and the sword is gone too. Even if they suspect the Yin Iron that was here, I'm sure they noticed something," Lan Qiren said, "does the Yin Iron react to those that have been destroyed? There are only two left as Xue Yang took his away, and Wen Ruohan has his."

"I know they react in some way," Wuxian said, "in my past life, all it took was someone to use a flute to alter my orders of Chenqing and I lost control. It happened twice. I'm guessing they had their half of the Yin Hu Fu from Xue Yang by the time they took control from me."

"I see, the Yin Hu Fu, (Yin Tiger Tally) can you explain what it did?" Lan Qiren asked, "it might give an idea of what the Yin Iron does."

"The Yin Iron is a baby compared to the Yin Hu Fu. The Yin Hu Fu is made from two halves of mysterious metal. When activated by pressing the two halves together, all Fierce Corpses within a certain area come under the wielder's absolute control. It holds an immense amount of resentment and it can distribute it when asked. I found that it is bound by no one. It was far greater then what I intended. Unlike many spiritual weapons, which only respond to their owners, the Yin Tiger Tally can be used by whomever grasps it; whether they are good or bad, friend or foe. Which is why I never gave in to handing it over to anyone and became an enemy for it," Wei Wuxian explained.

"Do I want to know how it feels to use the energy?" Wangji asked.

Wei Wuxian sighed, "Resentment is different from spiritual energy, as spiritual energy is like a life force. Resentful energy reacts out of emotions. So when I was antagonized and mocked, it was hard to keep myself from lashing out as anger would set it off. Using the energy makes a person feel cold. Not just on the outside but since I had no golden core, the cold was worse. It was eternal, it was like ice hugging me from the inside.

It hurt to really breathe. It tired me out much faster then spiritual energy did. It took so much energy just to call resentful energy, and it soaked through me. It was like ice shards moving through my veins. I was never warm and I think I was more cold and mentally exhausted then anything. So if I were to say this, I wouldn't recommend it...Grandmaster Lan made it a point that it is difficult."

"Even though I was hard on you, and it was hard to use the energy, you did one thing that nobody else could," Lan Qiren said, "if the control wasn't taken from you, you would have been fine. You could control it. You found a way for it to work, despite the negative impact it had. It helped you, and you served justice while everyone else was in the wrong."

Wei Wuxian blushed, "thank you," he said, "I guess it worked a little as I used your sects teachings. It used music as a method to help control it."

"It lets me know that you pay attention...no matter how much it seems like you do not," Lan Qiren said, "too much like your mother though of course. She couldn't sit still for long either."

Wei Wuxian smiled, "really?" He asked.

"Because of all her pranks that I had to deal with, I became a bit more strict on my teachings," Lan Qiren said.

"What kind of pranks?" Wei Wuxian asked amused.

"Some of those pranks included shaving off his beard and putting a beehive in his room," A man said walking into the room, "My Didi was so angry, I found it cute."

"Xiongzhang?" Lan Qiren asked.

"Hello Didi," Qingheng Jun said, "I had another stern talking to by my eldest son. I didn't hurt him this time, but what he said was correct, I have been away for too long and I need to fix my mistakes, and be there for my family and my sect."

"A-Die?" Wangji asked standing up.

"Wangji, you have grown so much, and you look so handsome," Qingheng Jun said as Wangji hugged him, "I am sorry I have not been there for you and your brother."

Xichen was also pulled into the hug, "we missed you, A'Die," he said.

"A'Huan, I am taking my duties back as Sect Leader, but I want you to be my apprentice and assist me as you can learn new skills," Qingheng Jun said.

"Of course," Lan Xichen said.

"Didi, you look like you aged too much," Qingheng Jun teased.

"You try teaching these unruly children," Lan Qiren said with a huff, "especially that one."

Qingheng Jun looked at the direction Lan Qiren nudged his head and saw Wei Wuxian standing at a distance from everyone. He was nervous of course and he fiddled with his fingers as he stood looking at the floor.

"A-Die," Wangji said moving over by Wuxian, "this is my soulmate and fiancée, Wei Ying, courtesy name, Wei Wuxian. He is the son of Wei Changze and Cangse Sanren."

"You look just like her," Qingheng Jun said, "you have her cheekbones, her eyes and her smile."

Wei Wuxian looked at him, "you knew my parents?" He asked.

"I did, Wei Changze was a good man, and your mother, Cangse, had a playful personality but a good heart. It was noticeable that the two loved each other very much," Qingheng Jun said, "and of course, their love brought you into the world."

Wei Wuxian blushed, "I was always told I had my mother's personality and good heart but I also had my father's virtues and morals," he said.

"If I may ask, what is your rank?" Qingheng Jun asked, "I sense something of you?"

"I recently went through a new ranking test, and I gained immortality during the test. I am ranked second then it is my grandmother Baoshan Sanren. If I did not ascend, I would have passed Lan Xichen as he ranked first," Wei Wuxian said.

"Your parents would be very proud of you," Qingheng Jun said, "perhaps you and I could sit sometime and talk. I'd like to get to know my future son-in-law."

"Sure," he said.

"You are treated okay in Yunmeng?" Qingheng Jun asked.

"I am, I am the adopted son of Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan. I told them of something happens, I wanted their son Jiang Cheng to take over before me as he is the blood heir, but I am considered an heir now, as I am wearing their robes," he said.

"You managed to melt that cold heart of Yu Ziyuan?" Qingheng Jun asked.

"It was a team effort with my A'Jie Jiang Yanli and me but yes," He answered.

"Jiang Yanli...I was told Xichen was engaged to her," Qingheng Jun said, "I am hoping to meet her as well."

"Of course," Xichen said.